Heat Exchanger Device and System Technologies

ABSTRACT

A disclosed heat exchanger device for a heat exchanging fluid comprises a continuous conduit arranged in an Nth pass plurality of descending rows and columns interconnected at at least one transitional point(s). The transitional point(s) are arranged in a pattern of parallel U-tubes which in any two adjacent rows slope in the same direction wherein an end view of the first transitional points resembles a herringbone pattern. A heat exchanger system disclosed comprises a continuous conduit or a plurality of fluid channeling conduits arranged in a lattice of rows and columns, wherein an outside cross section of the conduit is polygonal, especially square but having an inner circumference, a.k.a. Square Pipe™. An outside shell for the conduit is adapted to contain and to channel a fluid therein. A plurality of heat deflectors and flow channeling baffles are arranged adjacent the conduits in a free-floating relationship to the conduits.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the priority date of earlierfiled U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/989,689, titled‘Heat Transfer Technologies’ filed May 7, 2014 by Keith A. Langenbeck,and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The exchange of heat, adding or removing from one source to another, isa crucial function in modern society. Steam generation for poweringturbines that produce electrical power is a prime example. Theeffectiveness of convection heat transfer is dependent on numerousvariables, among them being heat transfer surface area(s), mass flowrate of the fluid(s), differential temperature and flow state of thefluid(s) in the heat transfer exchange.

Among the inventions this disclosure depicts are novel improvements tothe heat exchangers on mobile systems, known as ‘hot oilers,’ used inthe production and distribution of crude oil. These truck or trailermounted systems are used to heat and circulate the crude oil andproduced water, which come up commingled from the ground, at tankbatteries used for initial storage in the oil fields. Some crude oil,such as found in the Permian Basin of Texas, has a small fraction ofnaturally occurring paraffin or wax in its chemical makeup. Thisparaffin normally stays melted when underground but can solidify whencollected above ground in the tank batteries. Periodically, hot oilersare employed to heat and circulate the stored fluids, melting theaccumulated paraffin and restoring gravity flow of the fluids out of thestorage tanks.

Crude oil can contain varying amounts of hydrogen sulfide in itscomposition. Sweet crude has relatively small amounts of sulfur and sourcrude has greater amounts of sulfur. Hydrogen sulfide is not only highlytoxic and explosive but also corrosive to common steel alloys.

The existing design heat exchangers, aka coils, found in hot oilers areprone to leaking, difficult to repair when a pipe or fitting fails andrelatively inefficient in heat transfer. The welded together pipes andfittings that comprise a hot oiler coil are contained and positioned bysteel grid work of flat or round bar welded onto the exterior midpointof the 180-degree elbow fittings. This structural grid or lattice ofwelded steel rigidly links all the pipes and fittings into a commonunit. In addition to making repairs very difficult, this exterior steelgrid resists thermal expansion and contraction of the steel pipes asthey are heated and cooled. The steel pipes farther away from the heatsource will be cooler and expand less than those closer to the heatsource, which further exacerbates mechanical stresses on the pipingnetwork and structural grid work.

Therefore a market need for a better and more efficient and economicallyserviceable heat exchanger has existed but has gone unmet by thepresently available designs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A disclosed heat exchanger device for a heat exchanging fluid comprisesa continuous conduit arranged in an Nth pass plurality of descendingrows and columns interconnected at least at a first transitionalpoint(s). The transitional point(s) is/are arranged in a pattern ofparallel U-tubes which in any two adjacent rows slope in the samedirection wherein an end view of the U-tubes at the first transitionalpoint resembles a herringbone pattern.

A heat exchanger system is also disclosed comprising a continuousconduit or a plurality of fluid channeling conduits arranged in alattice of rows and columns, wherein an outside orthogonal cross sectionof the conduit is polygonal, especially square, aka Square Pipe™ and aninside cross section is circular. An outside shell for the conduit isadapted to contain and to channel the fluid circulating therein. Aplurality of heat deflectors and flow channeling baffles are arrangedadjacent the conduits in a free-floating relationship to the conduits.

Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure willbecome apparent from the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way ofexample of the principles of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the heat exchanger device arrangement and heat exchangingfluid flow there through in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts the heat exchanger device arrangement and fluid flowthere across in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts a first end or first elevation view of the heat exchangerdevice and system for hot oilers in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts a second end or second elevational view of the heatexchanger device and system for hot oilers in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts various views of a common 180-degree pipe elbow inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts a plan or overhead view of the heat exchanger device andsystem with some items removed for clarity in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts a cross sectional view, A-A of the heat exchanger deviceand system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of the heat exchanger device and systemillustrating holes, slots and penetrations used in locating andsuspending components in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates that the spacing between the pipes is the samespacing as the 180-degree U elbows that would be maintained regardlessof angular orientation in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an external shape for pipe that is square and notround in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 depicts a cross sectional view, A-A and various Square Pipe™members being utilized in the heat exchanger device and system inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 depicts a side view to illustrate the holes, slots andpenetrations for locating and suspending components of the heatexchanger device and system in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 13 depicts the end or elevational view of the heat exchanger deviceand system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 depicts a cross sectional view of a shell and tube heatexchanger predominantly utilizing Square Pipe™ in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Throughout the description, similar or same reference numbers may beused to identify similar or same elements in the several embodiments anddrawings. Although specific embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms orarrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of theinvention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and theirequivalents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments illustrated in thedrawings and specific language will be used herein to describe the same.It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope ofthe disclosure is thereby intended. Alterations and furthermodifications of the inventive features illustrated herein andadditional applications of the principles of the inventions asillustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant artand having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered withinthe scope of the invention.

Throughout the present disclosure and continuances and/or divisionaldisclosures thereof, the term ‘conduit’ refers to piping or tubing ofconventional and non-conventional geometries including circular, squareand even hexagonal shapes, channels of rectangular and angulargeometries, etc. but usually closed conduit for channeling a heatexchanging fluid such as crude oil, hydrocarbons, water and propyleneglycol and other heat transfer solutions. Also, the term ‘orthogonalcross section,’ refers to a cross section through a diameter of theconduits. The term ‘nominal’ refers to an average or a median or abenchmark number or measurement that may differ by ten percent or by amultiple sigma variation or by design according to manufacturing andeconomic considerations. Other terms herein may take their commondenotation meaning found in trade journals, thesis, other scholarlypapers and other industry accepted technical references. The term‘square pipe’ refers to pipe which has an outside square surface area ora cross section orthogonal to its length that is square and an insidecircumference and is also known as ‘Square Pipe™’ throughout thedisclosure.

The heat exchanger bundle described herein as a device and system isused separately or configured together in liquid-to-liquid crude oilprocessing with various components and may also be used in liquid-to-gasprocessing. Common pipe passes through tube plates and are weldedtogether with elbows. The round holes in the disclosed tube plates orbaffles could easily be cut as square holes for the Square Pipe™ andeven hexagonal and other geometries. The ends of the Square Pipe™ couldbe turned down to match with the exterior, circular profile of commonelbows of various 45, 90 and 180 degree elbows. Therefore, theadditional external surface area of the Square Pipe™ described hereinwould increase the heat transfer, but still allow uniform flow acrossthe external surface and be readily welded to common 45, 90 and 180degree elbow fittings.

The Hot Oiler Coil is a gas-to-liquid application that resides withinthe burner box just aft of the truck cab. Underneath the coil are aseries of propane burners. The combustion gases rise up; counter flowingthrough the pipe array and exiting the exhaust chimney at the top of theburner box. Application of the Square Pipe™ would increase heat transfersurface, increase beneficial turbulence/mixing of the gases as they riseupward and reduce/eliminate short circuiting of the combustion gases(unobstructed path up and out of the unit without contacting a pipesurface) as they rise up through the coil.

The Square Pipe™ can be readily employed in these common applicationswith little to no impediment to manufacturing and significantlyincreased heat transfer due to the greater external surface area.

Among the unique features provided by the new design heat exchangerdevice and system for hot oiler use are easy replacement of failed pipesand fittings, increased heat transfer from the combustion gases to thefluids flowing through the pipes, reduced mechanical stress and relatedfailure and allowing the pipe network to free float, expanding andcontracting as it is heated and cooled.

FIG. 1 depicts the heat exchanger device arrangement and heat exchangingfluid flow there through in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The disclosed heat exchanger device comprises a continuousfluid channeling conduit arranged in an Nth pass plurality of descendingrows and columns interconnected at least at one transitional point(s).The transitional point(s) are arranged in a pattern of parallel U-tubeswhich in any two adjacent rows slope in the same direction. Thisdisclosed arrangement of conduit, tube, pipe, etc is engineered tomaximize a fluid flow of a heating or cooling fluid there around andtherefore maximize a heat transfer from the heat exchange fluid(s)therein to the heating or cooling fluid.

Specifically, an embodiment of the heat exchanger device may comprise 7descending rows wherein each descending row comprises a nominal 12passes of fluid across a length of the device with 6 U-tubes each at 2transitional end points. However, other Nth passes of N/2 U-tubes ateach transitional point may also be designed, manufactured, sold andused. An embodiment of the heat exchanger device may further comprise afirst fluid for heat exchange and a second fluid for cooling or heatingthe heat exchange fluid, wherein the first fluid may comprise a liquidand the second fluid may comprise a heated gas. Solid line U-tubes arethose at a first transition end point and broken line U-tubes are thoseat a second transition end point. The arrows within the U-tubes indicateheat exchanging fluid flow. The cross indicates heat exchanging fluidflow into the plane of the figure and the dot indicates heat exchangingfluid flow out from the plane of the figure.

FIG. 2 depicts the heat exchanger device arrangement and heat exchangefluid flow there across in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Solid line U-tubes are those at a first transition end pointand broken line U-tubes are those at a second transition end point. Thearrows within the U-tubes indicate heat exchanging fluid flow but havebeen removed for simplicity. The cross indicates heat exchanging fluidflow into the plane of the figure and the dot indicates heat exchangingfluid flow out from the plane of the figure. The block arrows andflexible lines extending therefrom and there between indicate the flowof heated fluid or gas across and between the conduits from a source atthe bottom to a chimney egress at a top thereof.

A fluid flow in the conduit may start at a top end of the conduit to abottom egress end moving solely under the influence of gravity. On theother hand, a fluid flow in the conduit may start at a top end of theconduit to a bottom egress end moving under the influence of amechanized pressure difference from the top end of the conduit to thebottom egress end thereof.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the descending rows descend from atop portion to a bottom portion of the device only at the first and thesecond transitional points or at the U-tubes. In the alternative, thedescending rows may descend from a top portion to a bottom portion ofthe device along a length of the fluid channeling conduit. The U-tubesmay be welded onto the conduits/pipes or may be formed as an integratedcomponent thereof depending on economical and design considerations forany certain device and system disclosed.

FIG. 3 depicts a first end or first elevational view of the new designheat exchanger device and system, Item 100, for hot oilers in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure. Item 102 is the bottom ofthe heat exchanger and closest to the source of heat, commonly an arrayof nozzles that burn propane or butane. The heat generally flows fromItem 102 up to Item 104, the top of the new design heat exchanger. Item130 is the near end plate, which in conjunction with the far end plateand identical interior plate(s), is used to physically locate variouscomponents in the new design heat exchanger. Item 142, Item 144 and Item146 are various deflector means used to channel or redirect hot gases toand around the piping network. Item 315 depicts the end view of common180-degree elbow or U-tube that may be welded to the ends of two pipes.It is oriented at 45 degrees but may also be oriented at a nominal 30degrees in either sloping direction. Item 350 is the center-to-centerspacing between the two pipes that are connected by 180-degree elbow.

An embodiment of the heat exchanger device and system may furthercomprising at least one supporting baffle disposed at least at oneorthogonal location to the conduits in the system, the baffle(s)defining a plurality of circular openings for the conduits to pass therethrough and channel the heating fluid/gas there around the conduits.FIG. 3 may therefore also illustrate openings in such square baffle(s)for the conduits and the heat or fluid deflectors.

FIG. 4 depicts a second or opposite end or second opposite elevationalview of the heat exchanger device and system for hot oilers inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The heatexchanger device of claim 1, further comprising a supporting baffle atboth a first and a second transitional points and at least one optionalsupporting midpoint baffle disposed somewhere there between. The patternof parallel U-tubes for which any two adjacent rows slope in the samedirection is a mirror image arrangement for a second transitional pointinapposite to a first transitional point. An end view of one of theU-tubes at a first and a second transitional points resembles aherringbone pattern where rows of parallel lines in any two adjacentrows slope in opposite directions.

An embodiment of the heat exchanger device further comprises an outsideshell for the conduit shaped as a burner box with an exhaust chimney ata top thereof and a heating port beneath. A system of cooling or heatingfluid channeling fins are adapted to extend parallel to the descendingrows, wherein an orthogonal cross section of the system of fluidchanneling fins from a top to a bottom thereof resembles a honey combstructure in part. The heat exchanger device further comprises sidewallheat deflectors extending upward at an angle to the sidewall of a shellsurrounding the heat exchanger device.

FIG. 5 depicts various views of a common 180-degree U-pipe elbow inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Item 310 is anend view of Item 300 in a horizontal orientation. Item 305 is top viewof Item 310. Dimension 350 is a center to center nominal measurement forthe U-pipe which may also determine a spacing between the conduits asfurther described herein.

FIG. 6 depicts a plan or overhead view of the heat exchanger device,Item 100, and system with Items 142, Items 144, Items 146 and Items 300removed for clarity in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Items 200 are the various courses of pipe found within theheat exchanger, Item 100. In this depiction Item 137 would be the nearend plate seen in FIG. 1. Item 135 would an interior plate and Item 133would be the far end plate. Whether an end plate or interior plate, allof the Items 130 would essentially be the same with hole patterns forreceiving and locating the various other components in the new designheat exchanger. The end plate Item 133, interior plate Item 135 and endplate Item 137 may comprise baffles for the cooling or heating fluidcirculated around the conduits in order to exchange heat therewith.

FIG. 7 depicts a cross sectional view, A-A, of the heat exchanger deviceand system including Items 142, Items 144, Items 146 and various pipemembers, Item 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Items 142 are larger flat plate deflectors that redirect therising hot gases from the sidewalls or perimeter and outside edges ofthe device and system back into the pipe network and prevent gases fromflowing unobstructed along the outside edges of the heat exchanger.Items 144 are angle type deflectors at the top of the heat exchanger toredirect the gases around the upper row of pipes and create a chimneyeffect for the exiting hot gases. Items 146 are smaller, interior flatplate deflectors that redirect the rising hot gases back into the pipenetwork and prevent gases from flowing unobstructed within the interiorof the heat exchanger. Item 500 represents the dimension that the hotgases could move through unobstructed by using standard 180-degreeelbows, Item 300, arranged in the depicted 45 degree configuration. Thelocation and angular orientation of Items 146 intentionally block theopen pathways for rising hot gases to bypass and not impinge on theexterior surfaces of the pipe network.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the upper left hand pipe, Item 201,in the heat exchanger, may be the point of entry for the heat exchangingfluid(s) into the piping network. The heat exchanging fluids maycomprise various liquids and gasses and a combination thereof alsoincluding suspended particulate and solution adapted or engineered toexchange heat. The fluids may enter on the side nearest to end plateItem 133 and flow toward end plate Item 137. At which point the fluidsmay move through the first elbow, Item 300, and flow into Item 202, thesecond pipe in the network, and move back towards Item 133. The back andforth pattern of flow continues until the fluids exit the bottom righthand pipe, Item 284, on the same side on which they entered, nearest toItem 133.

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of the heat exchanger device and systemincluding Item 136, of Items 130 and illustrates the holes, slots andpenetrations used in locating and suspending components in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure. These holes, slots andpenetrations would be slightly larger than the items that are slidwithin for ease of assembly and removal for repair. Not any of thecomponents suspended by the Items 130 would be welded to the Items 130.The pipes, elbows and deflector means would be nominally free floatingfor expansion and contraction during heating and cooling. Removablecollars or sleeves could be added around the pipes after the end plates,Items 130, and before the 180-degree elbows, Items 300. Similarretaining means for Items 142, 144 and 146 could be employed to allowfor thermal expansion and contraction.

FIG. 9 illustrates that the spacing, Item 350, between the pipes, Item200, is the same spacing as the 180-degree U pipes/elbows that would bemaintained regardless of angular orientation in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. As an example, NPT (National PipeThread taper) 2″ nominal pipe has an OD (outside diameter) ofapproximately 2.38″. Small radius 180-degree elbows for 2″ NPT nominalpipes have a center-to-center dimension of approximately 4″. Given thehalf pitch offset configuration from row to row and 45-degreearrangement of the elbows, Item 300, the size of the interiorunobstructed pathway, Item 500, or under lap of the pipes' exteriorsurfaces is approximately 0.45 inches.

FIG. 10 illustrates an external shape for pipe, Item 400 that is squareand not round in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The dimension for each side of the square would be the sameas the OD of the pipe, Item 200. The ID (inside diameter) of the ‘squarepipe’, a.k.a (also known as) Square Pipe™ Item 400, would be circularand the same as the ID of the round pipe, Item 200. The center-to-centerdimension for Item 400 would be same as the 180-degree elbows, Item 300,and would be maintained regardless of angular orientation. Given thehalf pitch offset configuration from row to row and 45-degreearrangement of the elbows, Item 300, there would be no interiorunobstructed pathway in the heat exchanger, Item 100, that uses thedisclosed Square Pipe, Item 400. By using Square Pipe™ with a nominal2.38″ exterior side dimension, there would be an overlap of the pipes'exterior surfaces, Item 600 of approximately 0.53 inches. This overlapeliminates the need for Item 146 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 5.

Utilizing Item 400 Square Pipe™ would also increase the heat transferfrom the rising hot gases to the internal fluids due to an increase inexternal surface area. By using Square Pipe™, Item 400, in lieu of roundpipe, Item 200, the external surface area increases by the ratio of 4times the diameter over Pi times the diameter, or approximately 27%.

FIG. 11 depicts a cross sectional view, A-A, of Items 142, Items 144 andvarious Square Pipe Members™, Item 400, being utilized in the heatexchanger device and system in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. Items 142 are larger flat plate deflectors thatredirect the rising hot gases back into the pipe network and preventgases from flowing unobstructed along the outside edges of the heatexchanger. Items 144 are angle type deflectors at the top of the heatexchanger to redirect the gases around the upper row of Square Pipe™ andcreate a chimney effect for the exiting hot gases.

A heat exchanger system also comprises a continuous fluid channelingconduit arranged in a lattice of rows and columns, wherein an outsidecross section of the conduit is polygonal. The system also comprises anoutside shell for the conduit adapted to contain and to channel a heatexchange fluid therein and a plurality of heat deflectors arrangedadjacent the conduits in a free-floating relationship to the conduits.

As seen in FIG. 11, Items 401, 402, 403 and etcetera are analogous tothe round pipe, Items 200, found in FIG. 5. They similarly depict theflow of fluids into the upper left hand pipe, Item 401, into the heatexchanger and exiting the bottom right hand pipe, Item 484, on the sameside on which they entered.

FIG. 12 depicts a side view, Item 138, of Items 130 to illustrate theholes, slots and penetrations for locating and suspending components ofthe heat exchanger device and system, Item 100, that utilizes SquarePipe™, Item 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. These holes, slots and penetrations would be slightly largerthan the items that are slid within for ease of assembly and removal forrepair. Not any of the components suspended by the Items 130 would bewelded to the Items 130. The pipes, elbows and deflector means would benominally free floating for expansion and contraction during heating andcooling. Removable collars for the pipe, Square Pipe™, could be addedaround the pipes after the end plates and before the 180-degree elbows.Similar retaining means for Items 142 and Items 144 could be employed toallow for thermal expansion and contraction.

FIG. 13 depicts the end or elevation view of the heat exchanger deviceand system utilizing Square Pipe™, Item 400, in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. Item 102 is the bottom of the heatexchanger and closest to the source of heat, commonly an array ofnozzles that burn propane or butane. The heat generally flows from Item102 up to Item 104, the top of the new design heat exchanger. Item 142and Item 144 are various deflector means used to channel or redirect hotgases to and around the piping network. Item 315 depicts the end view ofcommon 180-degree elbow that would be welded to the ends of two squarepipes, aka Square Pipe™, Item 400, and is oriented at 45 degrees.

Another embodiment of the heat exchanger device and system furthercomprising at least one supporting baffle disposed at least at oneorthogonal location to the conduits in the system, the baffle(s)defining a plurality of polygonal openings, especially square openingsfor the conduits to pass there through and channel the heating fluid/gasthere around the conduits. Therefore, FIG. 13 may also illustrate theopenings in such a baffle for the conduits and the deflectors to passthere through.

FIG. 14 depicts a cross sectional view of a conventional shell and tubeheat exchanger, Item 1000, that predominantly utilizes Square Pipe™,Item 400, and fewer round pipe, Item 200 in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. The fluids flowing within theshell, Item 1100, around the pipes, Item 200 and Item 400, and withinthe pipes move nominally parallel to the centerline of the shell, Item1100, and the centerlines of pipes, Item 400 and Item 200. All otherconditions remaining the same, using Square Pipe™, Item 400, whereverpossible within the shell and tube heat exchanger in lieu of round pipe,Item 200, could significantly increase the overall heat transferefficiency of Item 1000. The replacement of conventional round pipe withSquare Pipe™ mounted on edge as a diamond shape of analogous size wouldgenerally result in increased heat transfer between the fluids. A SquarePipe™ mounted on edge as a diamond may comprise corners at 0, 90, 180and 270 degrees.

An embodiment of the heat exchanger system includes an outside shell forthe conduit shaped as a segment of pipe. The heat exchanger device mayinclude a conduit at an Nth row and Nth column in the lattice comprisinga nominal single pass defining a space around the conduit for a heatexchange fluid circulate there around. The heat exchanger device mayalso comprise an inside cross section of the conduit that is circular inorder to maximize a heat transfer from the conduit into a heating orcooling fluid flowing around the conduit.

Another embodiment of the heat exchanger device may comprisecorner-perimeter conduits that have both an outside circular crosssection and an inside circular cross section. Other conduits in the pipeshell may have a square outside cross section, especially those withinthe interior of the pipe further away from the walls thereof.

The heat exchanger device of claim 1, wherein an outside cross sectionof the conduit is square and an inside cross section of the conduit iscircular in order to maximize heat transfer from the conduit into afluid flowing around the conduit.

On the other hand, a heat exchanger system also comprises a plurality offluid channeling conduits arranged in a lattice′ of rows and columns,wherein an outside cross section of the conduit is polygonal andespecially square. The system also comprises an outside shell for theconduit adapted to contain and to channel a fluid therein; and aplurality of heat deflectors arranged adjacent the conduits in afree-floating relationship to the conduits.

The present disclosure therefore fills the long felt need for a betterand more efficient and economically serviceable heat exchanger that hasgone unmet by the prior art devices, system and designs. Longitudinalfinned tube is known but not used in shell and tube heat exchangers. Thefluid on the outside of the pipe/tube (Shell Side) has to maintainintimate, constant flowing contact with the external surface of thetube. In counter flow shell and tube heat exchangers the long, multiplefins would obscure the counter flowing liquids from maintaining constantflow contact with the pipe surface. Longitudinal finned tubes aretypically soldered or brazed on to the pipe. They are commonly used inaxial flow applications with gas or liquid in the tube and gas outsideof the tube. However, tubes with radial fins, annular heat sinks, posean insurmountable problem given that the tubes are inserted through thepassage holes of the numerous baffle plates.

The unique features and novel inventions within this disclosure havevarious applications and are not limited in scope to the uses describedherein. Although the components herein are shown and described in aparticular order, the order thereof may be altered so that certainadvantages or characteristics may be optimized. In another embodiment,instructions or sub-operations of distinct steps may be implemented inan intermittent and/or alternating manner.

Notwithstanding specific embodiments of the invention have beendescribed and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to thespecific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated.The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat exchanger device, comprising a continuousfluid channeling conduit arranged in an Nth pass plurality of descendingrows and columns interconnected at least at one transitional point(s),the transitional point(s) arranged in a pattern of parallel U-tubeswhich in any two adjacent rows slope in the same direction.
 2. The heatexchanger device of claim 1, further comprising a first fluid for heatexchange and a second fluid for heating or cooling the heat exchangefluid, the first fluid comprising a liquid and the second fluidcomprising a heated gas.
 3. The heat exchanger device of claim 1,further comprising a supporting baffle at both a first and a secondtransitional points and at least one optional supporting midpointbaffle, the baffles defining a plurality of openings for the conduits topass there through.
 4. The heat exchanger device of claim 1, wherein thepattern of parallel U-tubes for which any two adjacent rows slope in thesame direction is a mirror image arrangement for a second transitionalpoint in regards to a first transitional point.
 5. The heat exchangerdevice of claim 1, wherein an end view of the U-tubes for first orsecond transitional points resembles a herringbone pattern.
 6. The heatexchanger device of claim 1, further comprising an outside shell for theconduit shaped as a burner box including an exhaust chimney at a topthereof.
 7. The heat exchanger device of claim 1, further comprising asystem of heat exchange fluid channeling fins extending parallel to thedescending rows, wherein an orthogonal cross section of the system offluid channeling fins from a top to a bottom thereof resembles a honeycomb structure.
 8. The heat exchanger device of claim 1, furthercomprising sidewall heat deflectors extending upward at an angle to asidewall of an outside shell for the heat exchanger device.
 9. The heatexchanger device of claim 1, further comprising a fluid flow in theconduit starting at a top end of the conduit to a bottom egress end, thefluid flow moving solely under the influence of gravity.
 10. The heatexchanger device of claim 1, further comprising a fluid flow in theconduit starting at a top end of the conduit to a bottom egress end, thefluid flow moving under the influence of a mechanized pressuredifference from the top end of the conduit to the bottom egress endthereof.
 11. The heat exchanger device of claim 1, wherein thedescending rows descend from a top portion to a bottom portion of thedevice only at the first and the second transitional points.
 12. Theheat exchanger device of claim 1, wherein the descending rows descendfrom a top portion to a bottom portion of the device along a length ofthe fluid channeling conduit.
 13. The heat exchanger device of claim 1,wherein an outside orthogonal cross section of the conduit is square andmounted on edge as a diamond and an inside cross section of the conduitis circular in order to maximize a heat transfer from the conduit into afluid flowing around the conduit.
 14. A heat exchanger system,comprising: a continuous fluid channeling conduit arranged in a latticeof rows and columns, wherein an outside orthogonal cross section of theconduit is polygonal and mounted on edge in the system; an outside shellfor the conduit adapted to contain and to channel a heat transfer fluidtherein; and a plurality of heat deflectors arranged adjacent theconduits in a free-floating relationship to the conduits.
 15. A heatexchanger system, comprising: a plurality of fluid channeling conduitsarranged in a lattice of rows and columns, wherein an outside orthogonalcross section of the conduit is polygonal and mounted on edge in thesystem; an outside shell for the conduit adapted to contain and tochannel a heat transfer fluid therein; and a plurality of heatdeflectors arranged adjacent the conduits in a free-floatingrelationship to the conduits.
 16. The heat exchanger system of claim 15,wherein the outside shell for the conduit is shaped as a larger segmentof pipe in reference to the conduit.
 17. The heat exchanger system ofclaim 15, wherein a conduit at an Nth row and Nth column in the latticecomprises a nominal single pass defining a space around the conduit fora heat transfer fluid to circulate there around.
 18. The heat exchangersystem of claim 15, wherein an inside orthogonal cross section of theconduit is circular in order to maximize a heat transfer from theconduit into a heat transfer fluid flowing around the polygonal geometryof the conduit mounted on edge in the system.
 19. The heat exchangersystem of claim 15, wherein corner-perimeter conduits have both anoutside orthogonal circular cross section and an inside circular crosssection and other conduits have one of a square, hexagonal and otherwisepolygonal outside orthogonal cross section.
 20. The heat exchangerdevice of claim 15, further comprising at least one supporting baffledisposed at at least one orthogonal location to the conduits in thesystem, the baffle(s) defining a plurality of polygonal openings,especially square openings for the conduits to pass there through andchannel the heat transfer fluid/gas there around the conduits.